Player Profile: Marie Rooney

Senior Maire Rooney has played soccer since the time she was able to run. She began her first year at Presentation as a member of the freshman team. Maire’s sophomore year she moved straight up to the Varsity team where she has remained a pivotal team player.
The Voice had to opportunity to sit down with Maire and discuss her time playing soccer at Presentation as well as her plans for college.

The Voice: What is your favorite part about playing for Presentation?
MR: Seeing my teammates every day is great and being a part of the soccer team boosts my competitive nature. I love how close our soccer team is–you don’t see that type of chemistry on many teams.

The Voice: Each year the team has new players. How long does it take for the team to become bonded?
MR: Usually not long. I have been on varsity for three years and the entire team has been close from the start.

The Voice: Who is the soccer team’s biggest rival, and how do you prepare for the game against them?
MR: Mitty is definitely our biggest rival. We try not to get cocky yet at the same time we try to build our confidence. We have to prepare for a rough game.

The Voice: How do you see the soccer team doing this year?
MR: We are one of the best teams in WCAL this year. I think we will go far and do fairly well in CCS.

The Voice: What has been the greatest challenge personally for you in soccer?
MR: I’m really lazy, so staying fit is a struggle. During the season, it’s relatively easy to stay in shape, but it’s the off season when I’m faced with a challenge.

The Voice: The soccer team practices for two hours every day; do you find it difficult to manage schoolwork and sports?
MR: Yes, it’s definitely hard to keep up with both at sometimes, especially when we have away games. Sometimes I get home at 8:30 and have yet to begin my homework.

The Voice: Who has been the most inspirational person in your life?
MR: My dad, he has helped me with sports my whole life. He has always been committed to helping me grow as a soccer player.

The Voice: I hear you are going to play soccer at San Jose State. What makes you the most nervous about playing at the college level?
MR: I’m really nervous for the fitness tests and the practices in general. The level of play is much higher in college. It just seems really scary.

The Voice: If you did not play soccer, do you see yourself playing another sport?
MR: I used to play volleyball. I played on the JV team freshman year, but I decided to quit so I could just focus on soccer.

The Voice: What has been your most memorable experience as a member of the Pres soccer team?
MR: My sophomore year when we won WCAL and CCS. I was really close with the whole team, including the upper classmen.

The Voice: What specifically will you miss most about playing for Pres?
MR: I will miss the coaches and seeing my teammates every day. I have developed strong friendships with a lot of the girls on the team and it will be difficult not being able to see them next year.

Techie Profile: Rachel Whelan

Senior Rachel Whelan can almost always be found in the theater after school. No, she’s not an actor: she’s a techie. To learn more about her life as a stage technician and her role in The Phantom of the Opera, The Voice sat down to chat with her.

When did you begin doing theater tech?

I began teching freshman year for Into the Woods. Once I got involved, I just couldn’t stop.

For how many shows have you been on the tech crew, and what have some of your roles been?

I have teched for 20 shows to date. I have done everything from run crew to spotlight operation to stage managing.

What is a ‘run crew?’

The run crew consists of the people backstage who move the sets, as well as do rigging and special effects.

What do the other members of the tech crew do specifically?

There are light board operators, soundboard operators, spotlight operators, a costume crew, and a hair and makeup crew.

What is your role in Presentation’s current production, The Phantom of the Opera?

I am the Assistant Stage Manager and I am in charge of special effects. Since day one of auditions, I have been in the theater overseeing the rehearsal process. I collaborate with my fellow stage managers and Mr. Houle on how to pull off all the technical challenges in the show. I usually stay at the theater until about 8 or 9 p.m. every night.

What kind of special effects are in the show?

There is a chandelier crash, a boat on a lake, fog and air cannon effects, a trap door, and many more. The Phantom of the Opera is by far the most challenging show technically that Pres has ever done. In addition to the special effects, there are countless set pieces, costumes and backdrops that all have to change simultaneously. We have never needed a bigger crew for a production here than we need for this show.

What is a typical rehearsal like for you?

I make sure all the actors arrive on time. I also take notes on blocking, choreography, and vocals. I look through the script for props and any special technical effects. I maintain order and keep the rehearsal on schedule.

Do you tech for productions other than the fall musical and spring play?

Yes, I have teched for summer shows and I am also an International Thespian Society (ITS) Officer, therefore I am involved with all ITS productions. In addition, I have been involved with the TADA! productions of Little Shop of Horrors and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Why do you do theater tech?

I tech because I love it. Ever since my first show, I have loved to be a part of the fantastic productions we put on at Pres. As strange as it sounds, I live for the stress and intensity of the rehearsal process because, in the end, it is amazing to see all of your hard work come together into an amazing production.

Why do you do theater tech as opposed to acting on stage?

I used to act, but once I did tech for the first time, I realized how much fun it was being a part of making the show come together. Even though the audience only sees the actors, all the technical aspects of the show are equally important in making it a success.

What do you love most about theater tech?

What I love most is the reaction from the audience after a great show. I really enjoy being able to hear my friends say how great the show was, and I love knowing that I was a part of it.

What is your favorite memory from theater tech?

My favorite memory would be opening night of Always and Forever, Kate. It was an original show and I felt very connected to it because we had so much opportunity to create something new and unique. It was so exciting to see all of our hard work pay off at opening night.

Will you participate in theater tech in college?

Probably. Although I am not pursuing a theater major, I know I will not be able to stay away from the theater. I will participate in as many productions as I can.

What will you miss most about Pres theater tech after you graduate?

I will miss my theater friends the most. The friends I have made are the best kind: they are supportive, funny, unique, thoughtful and are just great people overall. I have enjoyed working with them so much for the past three and a half years. They’re my family.

Engineer Profile: Mary Gatesy

The Voice had the wonderful opportunity to talk to Mary Gatesy, the captain of Presentation Invasion Robotics Team 2135. After several years of competing in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competitions, she looks forward to a great year with her team. The Voice wishes the entire team good luck in their upcoming competition the weekend of Nov. 12.

How many years have you been on the Robotics Team?

I’ve been on the robotics team for three years.

What motivated you to originally join the team?

At first, I joined because it would look good on college applications, but I eventually stayed because it was a lot of fun.

About how much time every week do you have to devote to robotics?

In previous years we would work for three hours, twice a week. We would stay on Sundays for about 5 hours. This year we will probably do the same.

How were you chosen as captain?

I’ve been in robotics a long time, and I’ve started to know my way better around the shop.

As captain, what are your specific responsibilities?

I have to make sure that everyone on the team is working productively on the robot. I have to make sure that everyone is doing their job. I also have to organize meetings and make sure that everyone is there. It’s pretty fun.

How do you and the other captains and leads share responsibilities?

We all figure out what we need to do on the robot. The software captain does her thing, and the engineering captain does her job. I make sure that everything is finished, so we all make sure that the robot is finished on time.

How does a robotics match really work? What actions does your robot have to perform?

Each match is different. They are organized by FIRST, and you have to perform different tasks every time. Last year, we did an event called LUNACY where our robot had to pick up balls and put as many as possible in the robot.

Do you plan on pursuing a career in engineering?

Probably. I’m not really sure exactly what I want to do, but I’m definitely sure I’m going to major in something related to engineering.

What is your favorite memory from robotics?

One night last year, I stayed really late working on the robot with another lead, and we talked the entire time and it was really fun making it work. I was so happy that night.

What have you taken away from robotics that you can take with you in life?

You need to be organized and follow a specific schedule. I’ve learned a lot of time management.

Cooking Club

Eating. Most Pres girls are quite fond of it. Whether it is Apollo’s endless supply of bread and cookies or the countless bake sales held on campus, the girls at Presentation are likely to participate. Though eating is admittedly an enjoyable activity, it is only the end product of a process that the Cooking Club has dedicated itself to. This month, the spotlight shines on the Cooking Club, which teaches the Pres community an important life skill with tasty results. Meetings occur approximately once every month and are centered around a theme reflecting the time period. The theme of the October meeting was Halloween with a focus on the tasty ingredient, caramel. As the officers taught members how to make caramel, caramel popcorn and caramel puffs (marshmallows with caramel and pretzels). Meetings start with logistics such as attendance and prayer. The officers go through a PowerPoint presentation about the dish they are making and discuss fun facts about it. Every other meeting, they play trivia games about the food they focus on.

The officers and moderators make sure to choose recipes that are simple but yield tasty results. Because the officers are not equipped with a stove, the food they make requires minimal cooking and is usually centered on putting things together. At the October meeting, they used hot plates to cook the popcorn and make the caramel.

Cooking Club has made several changes since last year. Señora Poppen and Señora Iorgulescu have taken it upon themselves to be the moderators of the club. The Cooking Club also welcomed a new officer, junior Crystal Nguyen.

The officers hope to engage in several charity events as well. Like last year, the Club plans on selling gourmet baked goods to raise money for Mission Drive. As opposed to last year when they sold only cupcakes, they hope to make this fundraiser bigger and better by adding a variety of different baked goods. They also hope to volunteer at Casa de Clara and make food for the families that live there. Cooking Club members learn a critical life skill that everyone will need at some point in the future. Lucky for them, they are also able to taste the fruits of their labor, because they eat the things they make at the end of every meeting. As Senior Officer Sarah Wool notes, “Cooking Club is fun. You get to cook and eat. That really is all you need to know.”

Club Profile: Amnesty International

This month’s spotlight falls on a club that gets its namesake from the world-wide organization Amnesty International. With over 2.8 million activists and volunteers located in over 150 countries, Amnesty’s presence stretches all across the globe, including right here at Presentation High School. Like the organization, the Amnesty International club on campus aims to protect human rights and promote the lives of the politically, economically and socially oppressed.

From the educational segregation of Roma children in Slovakia to speaking out against torture, one mission of the club is to spread awareness. In a society where the average teenager knows more about the latest celebrity gossip than they do about global social justice, Amnesty gives students the opportunity to learn about various topics that do not receive as much public attention. At a typical Amnesty International meeting, students can expect to hear about different issues and current events, as well as the history leading up to each conflict.

However, Amnesty International is not just a club where you only listen and learn as the club promotes awareness. At each meeting, the club informs members what they personally can do to help. Members then sign letters and petitions that will be sent to prime ministers and national leaders in order to pressure them about a certain issue.

This year the club hopes to boost member participation even more and engage in activities outside of club meetings. One new thing you can expect to see from Amnesty International is posters hung around school. Members will be creating these posters to teach Pres students facts about global issues.

Another new addition to the Amnesty agenda is their issue potluck. At this event, members will pick countries, bring in cultural food and learn facts about that country. In contrast to past years, Amnesty International will also be holding their meetings during part of collaboration after school

“In Amnesty, you get a taste of all the different things that are happening in the world,” said Amnesty International officer Nisha Agarwal. “I encourage people to join because I think they’ll find it interesting. We act as advocates for human rights, and by taking action, you really feel like you’re part of something that is trying to make the world a better place.”

SADD Awareness Week

         Building upon past years of tradition, SADD, otherwise known as Students Against Destructive Decisions, will hold the annual SADD Awareness Week starting on Monday, October 18. Lollipops and stickers will be distributed amongst students with slogans campaigning against unhealthy choices.

            This year, SADD will be holding several events on campus. On Tuesday, they will show a movie called Graduation Day, a film exposing the horrors of teenage drunk driving and its severe consequences. The club also hosts Grim Reaper day when students can come to school dressed in black and choose to stay silent during the day, symbolizing teens who have been in car accidents due to drunk driving. On Thursday, students will take pledges in their homerooms agreeing not to text and drive.

The club’s goal is to spread awareness of the main trials and tribulations teenagers face today in society: drugs, texting while driving, drunk driving, domestic abuse, smoking, and eating disorders.

Originally, the mission of the club was to help students say “No” to drinking. Now, environmental strategies are taught to set a safe and healthy course in one’s life. Officers stress decision-making skills and how students can make good choices on a regular basis.

“We want students to be aware of the effects of their decisions every day,” said senior Lauren Cooper, SADD officer.

The club intends to sponsor a week of knowledge that will aid in the positive choices of Presentation students and encourage individuals to continue making these good decisions for the future.

Artist Profile: Jennifer Greenfield

Jennifer Greenfield has been performing in plays and playing the piano for several years, and as this senior prepares to graduate, The Voice got the opportunity to ask her about her start in art. Here is what she shared with us in an interview.
The Voice: What first got you interested in theater and music?
JG: Well, I’ve always been a very imaginative child. I started reading at a very early age which helped create the foundation of my vivid imagination. I literally played dress up until 6th grade. So, my imagination and dramatic nature have been evident from any early age. My grandma pulled her old keyboard out of the attic one day and let me have it. My mom says I used to freak her out because I would start playing a song I had heard playing in a store. There was one time when I started playing the song “Every Breath You Take” that I had heard earlier that day in Noah’s Bagels when I was in third grade, I think.
When I was a wee freshman, I was very gung ho about Speech and Debate. I won third place in my first novice tournament in Original Oratory. But after a while, I realized it wasn’t Speech and Debate that I wanted to do, but acting. Somewhere, Mr. Case is crying in a corner. Tears of joy, perhaps?

The Voice: Do you want a career involving theater and music?
JG: I don’t know what I want to do. On my list of goals, between marrying Harry Potter and winning an Oscar, I’d like to pursue a career as an actress. But I know that it’s a very difficult field to get into, so I want to make sure I have back up plans.

The Voice: Are you planning on studying theater or music in college next year?
JG: The thing is I’ve got so many options open. I like acting, reading, writing, design, drawing and painting, public speaking, and so I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into one major. But I know that whatever I do, I want to be able to express my creativity. I could never be stuck in a cubicle.
I definitely want to be involved in theater in college. I don’t know if I want to major in it. I haven’t declared anything as my major.

The Voice: Which do you prefer—acting or playing the piano?
JG: Oh, that’s a loaded question. The thing about acting is that I can only really do it when I’m part of a cast, when performing. Of course, I act everyday among my peers. But, most of time I only act when part of a play. However, piano is something I can do every day. When I come home I can sit down at my piano and play for hours. It’s such a stress reliever for me. I’m going to be noncommittal and not decide between the two.

The Voice: Who are your main theatrical or musical influences, and why?
JG: One is definitely Tim Burton. When I went to New York City, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art and the Tim Burton exhibit there. I look up to him because he’s so talented, not only at directing, but also as an artist, an illustrator, a writer and a film maker.
The other is George Winston. He’s a contemporary piano player whom I’ve seen in concert twice. I love his piano playing style. One of the songs he played was sort of a jazzy tune, and it inspired me to remix Lady Gaga’s Pokerface.

The Voice: Do you perform in other locations?
JG: Yes, I play piano for children’s first communion masses at St. Christopher and for graduations. I also like playing piano every opportunity I get on vacations. Last summer, my family and I took a trip to Glacier National Park. Where we were staying, there was a huge grand piano that was 100 years old. I asked at the front desk if I could play it, and I had a great time entertaining the guests.

The Voice: What inspired you to create such an eclectic mix of songs for the Talent Show this year?
JG: Well, I’ve wanted to perform for the Talent Show ever since Elaine Higashi played that spiffy medley on the electric violin for the Talent Show a few years ago. Ever since then, I’ve been sort of thinking of what I would want to do for the Talent Show and what songs might sound neat. I actually learned all of the songs separately and then a few months before the Talent Show tryouts, I mooshed them into an arrangement in my mind. The original arrangement was a lot less songs, but as I went through the list in my mind, I kept thinking, “Oh that would sound really cool too, and so would that!” So I kept adding more songs into my mind arrangement.

The Voice: How would your life be different now if you did not participate in theater or play music?
JG: It’s difficult to imagine, because I need some kind of export for my creativity. I’d probably still be involved with clubs on campus, and I would continue doing horseback riding lessons. I’m also very passionate about nature and the environment. I like hiking and taking photos of nature. So if I wasn’t involved so heavily with art and theater, I might get more in touch with my green thumb.